Instant Impact Jeremy Doku Shocks Pep Guardiola

The new winger of Manchester City, Jeremy Doku. (Photo: Instagram @mancity)

JAKARTA - Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admitted that he was surprised by the appearance of his new recruit, Jeremy Doku. The player who was bought last summer immediately had a big influence with his one-goal score when The Citizens won 3-1 at West Ham United.

The 21-year-old came to the Etihad Stadium after being redeemed for 55.5 million or Rp1 trillion from Rennes. Doku made his debut when the Premier League defending champion won 5-1 over Fulham before the international break.

Jack Grealish's absence, leaving Doku back as a starter on the left flank against West Ham, and he scored his first goal for City just one minute after the second half began.

Guardiola, who returned to the bench after three weeks at Barcelona to recover from back surgery, was impressed by Doku's new appearance twice as a starter.

"When you buy a player like him for four or five years -- I don't know how many years we signed him -- we have to be patient," Guardiola said on the club's official website.

"Honestly, I didn't expect him to play for Man City like he did today! Against Fulham he's deeper and closer to Kyle (Walker) so today he's taller. There's a process he has to learn and all the time we're there to help him but he has to say, 'I have to be myself as a player'," he added.

Guardiola is also pleased with the performance of the fearless Belgian international at the London Stadium after being considered slightly embarrassed' in his debut against Fulham.

"I was at Barcelona when Jeremy arrived and I felt maybe he was a little embarrassed in his first game. He just joined us, had two or three days of training with the team that had won the trebles and we talked about this -- I told him to use his quality as a winger -- one on one or one against two, "explained Guardiola.

"Since the first minute he was extraordinary, aggressive with his determination and repeatedly doing online. I am very happy because we think his quality is there, and he has started to prove it," concluded the Spanish manager.

A brilliant performance in the match against West Ham made Jeremy Doku estimated to be Pep Guardiola's first choice when Manchester City faced Red Star Belgrade in their first match of Group G of the Champions League, Wednesday, September 20 in the morning WIB.